Students Festive Design is a Winner

A student at Canterbury College has won a competition to design a Christmas card for a major high street retailer.

Luis Forbes, 19, is originally from the Caribbean and now lives in Dover, after moving to the UK to study. He is currently studying for a BTEC National Diploma in Graphic Design.

His Christmas tree design, featuring baubles, stars and candy canes, was chosen by Paperchase to feature on packs of charity cards being sold in more than one hundred of their shops across the country and stores worldwide.

Luis said: “It didn’t take too long to come up with the design; I had an idea in my head then used the computers at the College to perfect it.” He added: “I was quite confident in my ability but it’s really satisfying to see the card printed and on the shop shelves.

“I haven’t told my family about winning the competition, I’m going to surprise them by sending the card back home and they will be able to see my name on the back.”

Barbara Jossi, Graphic Design Co-ordinator at Canterbury College, said: “This has been such a great opportunity for the students as it is a live project that gives them an introduction to designing for a real client. It enables them to understand what the design process involves, meet the client, present their work professionally and it marks their first step towards establishing themselves as professional practicing designers.”

Gemma Parris, Card Buyer for Paperchase said: “We have run this competition for the second time this year and everyone at Paperchase was so pleased to be part of the project. All the students excelled and we were thrilled with Luis’ winning design. As always, it’s been a pleasure working with everyone at Canterbury College, both the staff and the students. We look forward to next year.”

Some of the money from the sale of the cards will go to KIDS, the disabled children and young people’s charity which works with 0-25 year-olds providing specialist nurseries, adventure playgrounds, short breaks and support for their families.